Handle structure for ash receptacle



Jan. 3, 1956 w. SHAPIRO HANDLE STRUCTURE FOR ASH RECEPTACLE Filed Jan. 51, 1.952

E "J 0 I I 4 w I I 0 ya INVENTOR WILLIAM SHAPIRO ATTY.

United States Patent HANDLE STRUCTURE FOR ASH RECEPTACLE William Shapiro, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Electrolite Products Limited Application January 31, 1952, Serial No. 269,159

2 Claims. (Cl. 16-110.5)

This invention relates to improvements in ash trays, particularly ash trays for smokers stands and the like, and the principal object of the invention is to provide an ash tray presenting an uniquely attractive form and constituting a holder for a cigarette lighter as well as an ash receptacle.

A further object is to incorporate the cigarette lighter support into the tray and/or ash stand as a handle therefor.

Still a further object is to utilize the lighter support as a means of enhancing the appearance and structurally strengthening the handle.

The principal feature of the invention resides in providing the ash receptacle or tray with a handle bridging the tray and formed with opposing arms extending upwardly from and projecting inwardly of the tray, and connecting said arms centrally by a member of tubular construction forming at one and the same time a hand grip portion comprising a structural connecting and strengthening element for the handle and the receptacle to support a cigarette lighter above the tray.

A further important feature resides in forming the arms as reinforced and strengthened by the tubular connecting element as delicate ornamental members to enhance the appearance of the handle and tray.

These and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a plan view partly broken away of a tray constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the tray supported on an ash stand and partly broken away.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a mid-vertical sectional detail through the central structural element of the handle showing a lighter received therein.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the lighter operated to a lit position.

With reference to the drawings, the ash tray comprises a dished circular plate 1 having a central depressed portion 2 and a peripheral flange 3. Received in the central portion 2 is a receptacle 4 having one or more cigarettereceiving grooves 5.

The underside of the plate 1 is formed with a boss 6 which is adapted to be threaded or otherwise suitably secured to the upright 7 extending upwardly from a base 8 to constitute an ash stand.

Surmounted on the plate 1 is the handle formation comprising opposing arm portions generally designated as 9 having a curved ornamented upright leg portion 10 and a delicately curved ornamented inwardly extending arm portion 11.

Connecting the arm portions 9 is a hand grip portion comprising a tubular connecting structural member 12 2,728,937 latented Jan. 3, 1956 having vertical ribs 13 providing a strengthening and ornamental effect and having a peripheral flange 14 to thus present a relatively blunt upper edge on the hand grip portion 12. The surface of the connecting member or element 12 may be otherwise suitably ornamented as desired.

The bottom of the tubular member is closed as at 15 and this bottom portion serves to brace the tubular member and also form a support surface for a cigarette lighter 16.

The depth of the tubular member 12 is such that the operating arm 18, snuffer 19 and wick 20 project above the top thereof, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 6, the snutfer is lifted and the lighter operated to light by a downward pressure on the arm 18 in the direction of the arrow 21. This action can be accomplished if desired by the action or gripping the lighter in its holder 12 which holder 12 continues to form a convenient hand grip portion with the lighter 16 contained therein. The lighter in its holder forms a more convenient fit to the hand for the application of pressure as the hand encircles or grips the tubular or hand grip portion 12. It will be noted that the hand grip portion 12 is disposed to allow it to be encircled by the hand so that it can be conveniently grasped. Further, it will be appreciated that the walls of the member 12 are of sufficient thickness enhanced by the presence of the flange 14 to eliminate any sharp edges to injure the hand when received within the hand.

With the provision of a handle such as described not only is a convenient mounting or supporting means for a lighter afforded but the structural strength presented by incorporating the tubular formation into the handle enables the handle to be formed as a delicately ornamented, slender and graceful structure, presenting a uniquely attractive appearance.

The handle may be secured to the plate 1 in any suitable manner. In the particular handle disclosed, mounting feet 22 are provided and these feet carry the screwthreaded members 23 projecting through the plate, and the nuts 24 form the means anchoring the handle in assembled position.

It will be appreciated that variations in the specific handle structure and design may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A handle structure for an ash receptacle comprising a pair of rigid arm portions connected by a rigid elongated intermediate portion and extending outwardly from opposite ends of said elongated intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having continuous side and end walls and opening to the top to form a receptacle adapted to receive and be substantially completely filled by a cigarette lighter, said arm portions being formed so that their inner ends are integral with and extend part way up the ends walls of said intermediate receptacle portion, said arm portions depending downwardly from said inner ends to a substantial distance below said intermediate receptacle portion and terminating in reinforced mounting feet, and means carried by said feet for removably securing said handle structure to a receptacle, said intermediate receptacle portion forming a hand grip portion adapted to fit substantailly entirely within and disposed to be encircled and gripped by a hand with a cigarette lighter contained in said receptacle.

2. A handle structure for an ash receptacle comprising a pair of longitudinal slender rigid arm portions connected by a rigid slender elongated upright intermediate portion and extending outwardly from opposite ends of said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having continuous side and end walls and opening to the top arm portions depending downwardly from said inner ends to a substantial distance below said intermediate receptacle portion and terminating in enlarged monntingfeet having substantially fiat under mounting. surfaces, and screw threaded attaching. means carried by said under mounting surfaces for r'ernovably securing said handle structure to a receptacle, said intermediate receptacle portion forming a hand gripportion adapted to fit substantially entirely within and disposed to be encircled and gripped by a hand with a cigarette lighter contained in said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent D. 54,655 D. 73,596 D. 86,414 D. 155,411

UNITED STATES PATENTS Minton Mar. 9, 1920 Beardsley Oct. 11, 1927 Schnitzer Mar. 1, 1932 Florman Oct. 4, 1949 Grunthal Nov. 9, 1909 Gregor Apr. 29, 1919 Neahr Aug. 26, 1924 Hammett June 9, 1925 Beyer Nov. 18, 1930 McCarthy June 2, 1931 Dillhoefer. Ian. 19, 1932 Bowerman July 11, 1933 Squires Aug. 15, 1933 McWilliams Oct. 17, 1933 Purinton Aug. 7, 1934 Phillips June 1, 1943 

